Bulletproof Coffee is a beverage that may sound strange at first, but its benefits of increased mental focus, a boosted metabolism and feeling full for hours after drinking have enticed many to try it. The unique coffee drink blends three main ingredients: single-source coffee beans, Bulletproof Coffee’s Brain Octane Oil and grass-fed unsalted butter. It is meant to replace a normal breakfast.
Where it Began
Dave Asprey, the founder of Bulletproof Coffee, got the idea when he was visiting Tibet in 2004 and a local gave him a cup of yak butter tea. Amazed by how it refreshed him after a long trek, he set out to research the beverage. He ultimately adjusted the recipe by switching tea for coffee and adding his own elements, which include the Brain Octane Oil.
Bulletproof Coffee’s Brain Octane Oil is derived from coconut oil and is pure C8 MCT (medium-chain triglyceride) oil. The oil is flavourless and works to raise your ketone levels so that your body can run on fat instead of sugar. The Bulletproof brand insists on using the Brain Octane Oil for optimal results, but alternate recipes suggest coconut oil as a substitution.
Worth the Try?
Bulletproof Coffee’s fans are adamant about its perks. Some say it has helped them with weight loss, and many others insist it has improved their energy levels and mental clarity.
However, critics of the drink point to the loss of nutritional values from skipping a traditional breakfast. The beverage also contains a high amount of saturated fat from the butter, which health professionals say can be dangerous to those with high cholesterol or other health concerns.
Options in Auckland
Sip Kitchen was the first cafe in Auckland to offer a take on bulletproof coffee; it is on their menu as a ‘fat black’ due to copyright reasons. A few other cafes, including Three Beans Coffee Roasters and Ruben Café, have followed.
Darren Blackwell, Sip Kitchen’s owner, says they sell about 50 cups a week to a variety of regulars and first-timers. Their recipe includes organic unsalted butter and MCT oil, and they have a vegan version that uses coconut butter.
Do It Yourself
The official recipe from Bulletproof Coffee is as follows:
- Brew one cup (8-12 ounces) of coffee with Bulletproof Coffee Beans, which are single-source and Rainforest Alliance certified.
- Add 1-2 teaspoons of Brain Octane Oil. When you first start drinking, you will only want to add one teaspoon and build up from there.
- Add 1-2 tablespoons of unsalted grass-fed butter. Ghee works as a substitute for those avoiding dairy.
- Blend the mixture for 20-30 seconds. It should be creamy and resemble a latte.
